Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures presents
RZA “Wisdom of the Word” Tour
Thursday, April 18, 2013, 7:30 PM
New Hazlett Theater in the North Side

Wu-Tang Clan founder, Grammy award-winning producer, author of The Wu Tang Manual, and hip-hop legend RZA comes to Pittsburgh to share the “Wisdom of the Word” at the New Hazlett Theater. RZA’s new book The Tao of Wu shares his unique street philosophy on the path to enlightenment through music, kung-fu, chess, spiritual texts, and stories of the turning points in his own life.

In a rare glimpse into his life outside Wu-Tang, RZA will be interviewed by local poet and National Book Award winner Terrance Hayes.

This program is followed by a Q&A with the audience. A limited number of VIP tickets are available and include include preferred seating, a copy of The Tao of Wu, as well as a post-program reception with RZA (location to be determined).

Mystery Lovers Bookshop will have autographed copies of RZA's two books available for purchase at the event.

Note: This event may contain adult content. Not recommended for young children.

RZA is the founder and musical mastermind behind the legendary hip-hop collective, the Wu-Tang Clan. He honed his mastery of storytelling growing up in the isolated borough of Staten Island where he was raised on a healthy diet of the Shaw Brothers’ kung fu films and comic book heroes. RZA is a renaissance man in every sense of the word: musician, actor, director, writer, poet, martial artist, chess master and philosopher.

In his teens, he developed an insatiable interest in the teachings of Islam. This early dedication to religion and philosophy fostered an enlightenment in the human spirit that is unmatched by his contemporaries. His understanding of Christianity, Islam, Eastern philosophy, hip-hop, and chess permeate his celebrated novels The Wu-Tang Manual and The Tao of Wu. His synergy with humanity makes him one of the industry’s most intriguing spoken-word artists. RZA’s worldview is continually reflected in his lectures and body of work. His profound insight and approach to all artistic mediums has led to some of the most unique and flourishing collaborations in entertainment history. He created the musical score for Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill and has worked with music industry visionaries, including Kanye West and The Black Keys. Recently, he wrote the screenplay for his directorial debut, The Man with the lron Fists, in which he stars alongside Russell Crowe.

Dr. Cornel West has said, “RZA is a towering artist and deep thinker who has much to teach.” Keep Dr. West’s endorsement in mind when you cross paths with RZA. Ask him to teach you the King’s Indian Attack...your chess game will never be the same.

All Writers & Readers events are FREE and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come first-serve basis.

Books will be available for sale by A Cultural Exchange at all Writers and Readers events.